No Corporate Beer Reviews: Solstice

Beer: Solstice
Brewery: OEC Brewing (Oxford, CT)
Style: Bock – Hell. Maibock/ Lentebock
6% ABV / 0 IBU

This Connecticut brewing/blending operation’s full name is Ordinum Ecentrici Coctores, which translates to “The Order of the Eccentric Boilers.” It’s meant as a bit of a goof on secret societies and to skewer the idea of gatekeeping in craft brewing, Of course, the brewery’s approach is very studious—they’re devoted to turning out clean, drinkable revivals of old world brewing styles that might get edged out of taproom menus in the race to cater to hopheads.

Solstice is OEC’s playful and perplexing tribute to the heller bock style, with a familiar blend of pilsner and Vienna malts. The rest, though, is pretty unexpected, starting with a golden color that more closely resembles a hazy IPA. The flavor profile is a lot like a hazy IPA, too, owing somewhat to the fruity and floral notes from the Galazy hops. Solstice has actually been hopped twice: Once in the wort and then a dry-hopping phase before canning. Between the wet and dry-hopping, Solstice goes through open fermentation and then aging in oak foeders.

So, yeah, there’s a lot going on with Solstice, but each element of the brewing, fermentation, and aging process has created a totally unique bock-style beer. Something like this will probably be a disappointment for those that associate bocks only with the ultra malt-forward doppelbock. But for those that are seeking alternatives to one-note lagers or suffering burnout from festbiers, Solstice will be a bit of a revelation. Its crispness is mighty nice, but it’s the bitter, bracing finish from the French Mistral hops that throws it over the top. Prost!

For more info on OEC Brewing, please head here